Community

More in Ambassadors

Austin Haye, a dedicated GASP ambassador with a passion for those heavy lifts competed and won the Texas Strongest Man show this past weekend. His brother Sumner Haye was also one of the competitors and Austins 2 year old son Jack was one of the biggest fans there.

We asked Austin some questions about the show, and in particular how he felt about having his family there to support.

**Did having your son at the event influence your energy?

**Absolutely. Jack has been my biggest fan and loudest cheerleader since I first brought him to watch me compete earlier this year at the Ronnie Coleman Strongman Classic. Ever since, he’s been saying “Daddy ‘wift’ weights!” and asking me if I’m going to the gym to train with “Unkie” (his name for my younger brother and training partner, Sumner).

Seeing how excited he gets to watch me workout in the gym or compete makes me want to put forth that much more effort. There’s nothing to really compare it to until you have kids and they get really involved/start participating in your hobbies.

**Did being a dad influence your training leading up to the event?

**Yes – In both positive and negative ways, but mostly positive. The time I devote to training is minimal because I don’t want to miss out on too much time at home with him. I can manage off of 3 days of training per week which comes out to about 6-7hrs/week of training time.

This has actually been a really big benefit for me because it has forced me to allow my body to recover more than in the past when I was training 5-6 days a week (12-14hrs total). With more recovery I get injured a whole lot less and I don’t plateau as easily during training cycles.

The only negative influence I experience, and any parent can relate, is the lack of sleep that comes with just being a dad to a 2 year old. I wouldn’t change it for the world though.

**We got to the competition floor and as soon as we set our bags down, he was tugging on me to take him out on the floor so he could see what the other strongmen were doing and play with the implements.

Having to focus on him and not getting warmed up right away took the edge off at the beginning of the competition. There’s always a certain amount of nervousness that hits you as soon as you step foot on that floor and see everyone starting to warm up and get into their own competitive zone.

I’m usually right there with everyone else in terms of nerves being on fire, but with Jack there I have to focus on him and making sure he’s learning and having a good time while I get ready.

Having him there waiting for me on the sidelines in-between events really took the edge off things throughout the whole day because I would have to turn off the intensity and just be “daddy” again while I waited for the next event.

How was the atmosphere at Texas Strongest Man?

 Electric to say the least. The competition took place inside of the Europa Games Fit Expo, so we had spectators on all sides watching, filming, and cheering for us. Scott Brockelman and Jacob Fincher (North American Strongman Co-State Chairs – Texas) did a great job getting strongman into this event. Other than the Bang Energy booth, we were probably the biggest draw for spectators.

 The first event was the log clean a press for reps. The weight for my division was 270lbs. A lot of athletes in my division struggled with this event due to the size of the log that was used and the uneven surface we were standing on. I managed only 2 reps which put me in a 3-way tie for 1st.

The next event was the axle deadlift for reps. The weight for my division was 565lbs and I managed 10 reps in under 60 seconds. I only needed 8 to win the event, so I stopped at 10 reps with time to spare. I believe this was a rep PR for me at this weight. I don’t get to train axle that often, so it was good to see my heavy conventional deadlifting transfer over like that.

3rd event was the farmers walk. The weight for my division was 275lbs per hand and we had to carry it 50ft. The quickest time won the event. A lot of athletes struggled with the grip on the handles because they had been wrapped with tape and the tape was beginning to peel off. One of the guys in my division lost a fair amount of skin on his hand just trying to carry it. I managed 4th in this event.

Moving events have been a weakness for me since I started strongman, but lately I’ve been devoting more time to training them so that I’m not losing so many points.

The 4th event was the Mouser Block/sled drag medley. The block weighed 320lbs and you had to carry it 50ft and then pull a loaded sled back 50ft for the fastest time. The thing that competitors struggled the most with on this event was traction: The convention center floor was slick concrete, so pulling a sled backwards proved to be very difficult. Luckily, I’ve encountered this before at other comps and learned that if you dampen the soles of your shoes with water then you’ll be able to grip the ground better. This little trick paid off and I took 2nd in the event.

The last event was the sandbag carry for max distance. The sandbag weighed 250lbs. This event was brutal, especially being at the end of the day when your body is already fatigued, but I was ready. Sumner and I had been training this event with a keg, which is considerably harder to walk with for a long period of time than a sandbag. I believe training with the keg over the sandbag guaranteed me success on this event. I needed 225ft to win and I took it to 250ft and called it at that.

**Your brother got the number 2 spot, how did you feel about that?

**Sumner came in 2nd in the heavy weight division (231lbs and above). I was 1st in the middle weight division (231lbs and under). I was very proud of Sumner for his placing. Believe it or not, he was the lightest heavyweight competing weighing in at 260lbs. He was trading 1st and 2nd with the guy that ended up winning all day long – it was great to see him hang with some of the strongest guys in Texas.

**What did Mary (your wife) think of you all being together there?

**She loved it. It’s hard at times trying to juggle Jack or keep him from running on the floor during the competition, but overall I know she enjoys getting to make these memories as a family.

She deserves her own medal for being out there all day long when she’s 7 months pregnant, taking care of Jack, and making sure I’m eating, drinking, and stretching in-between events. She’s my secret weapon.

Were there any other highlights to the event?

Austin Haye - Texas Strongest Man

Swedish Henrik Lindh has been a GASP ambassador for several years.

He currently lives in Marbella, Spain, so when CEO Michael Johansson was in town, he met Henrik for a catch up and a workout.

**I live by the saying “we live every day but only die once”. By that I mean that I set goals for myself and I complete them, instead of just dreaming.

**I’ve been fortunate to live in the USA an train at the best gym in the world, …destination Dallas Texas.

After returning from the U.S. I moved to Malta and currently I am living my deam life in Marbella. A life I, myself, have strived towards and created.

**What are your hobbies besides training?

**I’ve been competing since 2000, but the past few years have been the best in terms of placings both internationally and nationally.

I live training 24/7 but I always make sure to both have some “Yin and Yang” by also doing other things like sport fishing and bodybuilding.

Fishing is my biggest hobby, but bodybuilding is my lifestyle. However, both of these goes well hand in hand and I think that is why I’m still just as motivated to train and compete now as I was 10 years ago.

**What has motivated you to get where you are?

**I have always been an underdog with training and competing as I am very tall and I used to be very skinny.

That is what has fueled me as it made me want to prove that nothing is impossible if you work really hard. Usually those who say it is impossible, are people who are unable to reach their goals, or who aren’t even trying.

**I’m currently in a “bulk” phase and I am working hard to improve lagging muscle groups. Something I can guarantee is that I will show the best version of myself late summer 2020. And do you know why? Because I have made up my mind to do so!

**How does being a part of GASP affect you?

**To have a strong clothing brand backing me up isn’t only nice because I get to wear nice clothes. What I wear also makes me feel good and I get a “hardcore” feeling which rubs over on my training.

Henrik Lindh – Live Every Day

More in Real and Raw

Hill sprints bridge the gap between the weight room and the track.

The benefits of performing all-out hill sprints include:

Improved conditioning, body composition, mental toughness and functional strength.

We team up again with strength coach Josh Bryant MS to bring you an in depth how to on the hill sprints including warm up and progression. Click 

 to instantly receive a copy of the full program.

6 Week Hill Sprint Program

More in Training

Blair Mone is an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder. Together with IFBB Pro Legend and 1995 Arnold Classic Champion Mike Francois he runs the Podcast Old Skool Muscle where they discuss all things related to Bodybuilding.

We ask Blair some questions to get to know him better.

Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born in Springfield MA but grew up in Manchester Vermont. I’ve lived in few places; Syracuse NY,  Walnut Creek CA and Louisville KY. I currently live in Dayton OH.

**I’ve played sports all of my life. When I was younger, baseball was the sport I was most involved with. As I got into high school I was also a wrestler and Ice Hockey Player. I began training with weights at the age of 12 so I could be as big and strong as my three older brothers. Then to be better in all the sports I was involved with. I was also a huge fan of Arnold and Stallone movies and wanted to look like them.

**I rented Pumping Iron at our local small town movie store and quickly became obsessed. In fact I never returned the movie and got in major trouble with my mother for the bill we got!

I didn’t have any interest in actually competing at that point but began learning about nutrition and training and soaking it all up to be the best I could be and to try and look like a bodybuilder.

I would go to the store or book store in town and read the bodybuilding magazines but didn’t buy them because we didn’t have the money to. So I would try and read and put them back on the shelf before the clerks would see me.

My freshman year of college is when I started to want to actually compete. It wasn’t until my sophomore year at Springfield college in Massachusetts when I met John Cena (who was a senior at the time) that I actually did a competition. John had competed before and took time out of his busy schedule to help me get ready for the show. I did my first show at 19 years old and won the Teen Overall and took 2nd in the Men’s Open Heavyweight division. At that point I was completely convinced that I loved bodybuilding and it was what I wanted to do!

**I got my Pro card at the 2015 NPC USA’s where I won the Super Heavyweight division.

**How is competing affecting the rest of your life?

**I have to use an old Arnold Quote for this one. That is “

If one takes the discipline it takes to compete and applies it to every area of your life you will be successful!”

  Not that I’m perfect at this but this is very true. Bodybuilding is about setting a plan and a goal and then executing that plan day in and day out without question or hesitation. Letting nothing stand in the way of it.....no excuses, and realizing it’s all on you. You can't blame anyone else for not being successful in reaching your goals. If you apply that to relationships, business or any part of your life than you will be successful in that part of your life.

I train at the Powerstation Gym in Middletown OH. It is an awesome place. Old school hard core gym with any and all the equipment that one could ever ask for. It’s an environment that breeds great athletes. Pro fighters, powerlifters, IFBB Athletes, division 1 college athletes, and much more.

Everyone there is like a family. It is run and owned by a 2 tour Vietnam Marine who also served 30 plus years as a State Trooper, Mike Ferguson! It’s a no BS place and if you don’t want to walk in and get after it there, you won’t want to anywhere!

**Currently am planning on competing at the Chicago Pro here in July.  My wife and I are due to have our son any day now as well. So it will be a busy and exciting time!

Blair Mone – Executing The Plan

Guy Cisternino is making his comeback in Chicago July 6th. He went through a few very tough times that many claimed as the end of his competitive career but mentally Guy never had a doubt of his capabilities and a better than ever comeback after a forced hiatus from the super heavy and intense training.

 When you were at your lowest bodyweight post surgery and still physically marked up from the internal skin burns, did you think you were done and a comeback was not possible?

 Mentally, I never had a doubt. Obviously in the physical aspect it is hard to out run time and for your body to have the same response to training, diet etc but, I was definitely going to do EVERYTHING possible to comeback at my best!

Jay Cutler and Branch Warren said it best. They basically said that I needed the double shoulder surgery just to have a forced break. I have never had more than a couple of days off then I was back at training just for the fact that I love it so much.

After the long lay off from training, of course my weight went way down because I was eating 1 to 2 meals a day. Almost immediately after returning to training I gained about 20lbs.

"Everyone is always asking what the best supplement is and I keep saying FOOD is the most anabolic substance."

 You're back to pressing and squatting heavy as ever. How does your body feel using this sort of poundage now?

 I am able to handle roughly the same weights as before the shoulder surgeries. I had to stop worrying about the weight being heavy and possibly not good for my shoulders after everything I put them through. My body got to where it was by lifting heavy so I needed to get my foundation back. 

 How are your nerves with the comeback approaching in Chicago?

 I am very excited to step onstage again. However when you and next to other competitors you see the real deal. Aceto says, according to my progress pictures that I send him that my physique looks insane.

"You need to be in a straight jacket." Chris Aceto

 You have been through a lot physically and over a lot of mental hurdles as an athlete and pro bodybuilder where critics are abundant. Do you have anything to say for people facing some of the same hurdles?

 We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Do what ever it takes to be better when you wake up tomorrow. Keep getting better. No fucking compromises!

Guy Cisternino - Through The Hard Times

We catch up with Canadian Pro Bodybuilder Fouad Abiad. Fouad lives and breathes hardcore and he does everything with full dedication and focus. True #NoCompromise spirit.

 Your signature on your website is fouadabiad.com is "Sacrifice without regret." Can you give us the story behind this?

 A friend of mine who actually got me into bodybuilding decided to quit bodybuilding after a few years. That got me to thinking that a lot of people get into the sport and spend a lot of money on competing, and time away from friends and social events and then end up looking back on bodybuilding with regret.

My approach will always be that I will sacrifice the money, the time away from parties, vacations and training how I need to train and won't have regrets because I am doing what I love.

If someone is doing bodybuilding to try to get famous or make money as the end goal then if they dont "make it" they will definitely have regrets.

 You have been known to have lifted some crazy weights and have brutal workouts. Would you have been able to build the physique you have without that as a foundation?

 If I post a video of me squatting 5 plates it'll get 10,000 views on Instagram and if I post some extravagant movement for arm training it'll get 200,000 views and people will think that this is how I must've built my physique.

 The body and most of the best physiques in the world are built usually with heavy basic compound lifts. Period. The boring stuff that hurts is the stuff that works. The fancy super-set that I finish my leg training with is what gets people thinking I built my leg mass with NO, NO, NO. It is the 14 plate leg presses.

Innovation is important with a lot of things in life BUT for bodybuilding, mastering and loading up on the basics with intensity is key. I want to get the point across that bodybuilding is painful. I feel like a lot of people don't want to get to that place of pain.

 How long have you promoted the Fouad Abiad Championships and why did you want to promote competitions?

 I've been promoting my contest for 9 years now. Just like bodybuilding it is more of a passion project. I will make money where I need to but I want to again, sacrifice without regret. I want to promote a contest that shines a great light on bodybuilding. From venue, to lights, to taking care of the competitors and having the bells and whistles that make a great event, that all goes into making the participants feel great and also makes the parents and friends of the competitors proud of the accomplishments of whoever is competing.

Together with partner Paul Lauzon, it's not about making money. It's about putting out a product we are proud of and shedding a great light on what bodybuilding means to us.

 How is your training after your triceps injury?

 I am currently rehabbing the tricep and I am training everything else. More of training around the tricep without pressing. Isolation movements and then of course I am able to train legs and do cardio. People ask me why I do cardio and it is an easy response. I LOVE THIS.

I am hoping to be back in competition in late November but if the doesn't happen then late winter next year to try and qualify for the Olympia 2020. Regardless of what happens I will enjoy the process and sacrifice without regret!

Fouad Abiad - Sacrifice Without Regrets

More in Products

 is a short sleeve shirt that complements our range of OPS Edition items; the 

 versions. The fabric has a unique lightweight feeling and a breathability that keeps you cool, whether you are on or off duty. It has comfort and performance that functions well for all occasions,  and even in the most demanding environments and workouts.

Our many GASP friends in law enforcement and military was instrumental in creating a tactical program within GASP that exceeded what they normally get from their “BDU” standards. The OPS Edition items are made to exceed expectations.

GASP OPS Edition SL

 has a story of being one of the most frequently asked for products amongst our ambassadors. This tank is a typical working-class favorite muscle shirt that has been a popular staple since the 50s with many different names through the years depending on region and times.

With a classic ribbed, form fitted shape it is sought after by those that wants an alternative to the undershirt or just a tank that is a little more covered up than for example a T-back. This tank works for any occasion.

A beloved product like this has many names like a-tank, singlet, wife-beater, vest, under-shirt and muscle-shirt just to mention a few…

The history goes way back, and with the GASP community voting to see more of products like this it is growing in popularity.

Original Ribbed Tank

Ron Partlow has been a hardcore bodybuilder at heart for over 30 years. Heart is what it takes to keep grinding it out after 10 runner ups at pro qualifiers through his competitive days as an amateur bodybuilder. Ron is, through his own in the trenches experiences, consistency, and how he holds this sport to a higher standard, the epitome of what makes bodybuilding great.

 Mutant on a Mission is in its 5th season now. Where did the idea come from for this show?

 I was in LA with Rich Piana watching No Borders with Anthony Bordain (a food focused reality show that highlights, food, people and culture). I said, holy shit; We already visit all the best gyms in the world. Why don't we do the same thing but with gyms and all the gym culture in different parts of the world.

6 months after having this epiphany we went to Bodypower in the UK. We started the series with Dino's gym. You will never meet anyone like Dino, he is literally the NICEST guy you could meet. Upon arrival to kick start this whole Mutant on a Mission episode 1, Dino's has techno music playing. Dino himself comes and gives me a big hug and then turns to his son and says (in classy proper english tone), "Ron is here," then immediately proceeds to switch the music to AC/DC.

The general format of the show is to tour the gym with the gym owner. Some gyms have a better story/history than equipment. Some have crazy awesome equipment, story AND atmosphere.' Dino definitely had all the above given the fact that his passion heavily complimented the gym's story having sold his house and slept on the floor for a while to be able to open the place.

**GASP:**How has the show and producing it evolved?

 Before, we really had to sell the idea to get the owners to participate. Now gyms message me. I guess now I feel like I am not alone in my passion to see awesome gyms!

Some guys dont have an emotional connection to their home gym, but I always connected the gym that I personally train at with being my "HOME." People who really love their gym I feel have something in common with me.

Now I am a gym owner (West Coast Iron) so I take it even more personal. I joke with my partners saying, "I want someone to move, just uproot where they currently live and are established and move just to be able to train at my gym." We created a place where this has happened... several times over.

Big Ron Partlow

We meet up with IFBB Pro Brett Wilkin. Brett lives in Denver, Colorado where he runs a successful training business together with his wife.

**I was a 4 sport athlete in high school. I played college football in Iowa. I got my degree in science and physical education and graduated playing football.

I didn't want to play semi pro or arena football so I focused more on lifting and gaining strength and was lifting for fun. Then I met my wife (Ivana) when I was 25 and she basically taught me how to eat for bodybuilding. I was eating 3 meals a day and she directed me towards more hardcore and structured bodybuilding.

**Do you follow anyone's training philosophies?

**My wife and I are really good friends with John Meadows and I have built my own training philosophies from watching John Meadows and Flex Lewis.

**How did you decide to compete in a physique sport?

**For the first couple of years I didn't think about competing. I traveled with my wife and went to the Arnold and Olympia. Then we started getting more involved with clients and I started developing a better physique so I figured I would really turn it on and see what I could do.

**How was your first competition experience?

**I competed in Iowa and won everything. The judges recommended I'd go to Jr. Nationals as my second contest. I was really really close to turning Pro and that's when I realized I could be really really good at it.

**I went on to win the overall in 2018 at the Jr. Nationals and that's when Ivana started working with Dillon Armbrust for coaching. We went out there (Denver, CO) for 5 days and absolutely loved it. We actually loved Colorado so much and everything else involving Denver that we never looked back.

Not only are we really growing and taking advantage of the gym but also really soaking up and taking advantage of all the sights, environment and everything that Colorado has to offer.

**This last year is when I switched to bodybuilding I went from 190 to 240 lbs. I figured I would just to continue to develop and honor my physique. Now I am competing at 212 and I'm really growing into it. I am a little tall for the division (5'9") so I took a break from competing so that I can just go full blown into the open class.

Brett Wilkin – The Road to Pro Status

Adam Young is born and raised in Denver, Colorado went to the University of Alabama. After winning his first bodybuilding contest in 2013 he dived head first into maximizing his potential and won the 2017 North American Championships which earned him his pro card. Now he trains out of Armbrust gym in Denver, Colorado.

**What triggered your interest in athletics?

**I was a 3 sport athlete in Highschool but was always a huge gym rat. "I remember walking into the gym in the 7th grade and feeling at home. I was always good at strength training and bodybuilding and had a naturally muscular physique at a young age."

**How did you turn from team sports to bodybuilding?

**I was living the college lifestyle with drinking, partying and not eating so healthy. I moved back to Colorado and met up with Allen Watkins who was the first to say "you would be a great bodybuilder," which sparked the interest in competing.

From then I linked up with Dylan Armbrust at Armbrust gym and he taught me a lot! "Dylan is like a second dad, mentor and best friend. He would always tell me to take more time, to be patient and always preached consistency and hard work."

**What is in store now and for the future?

**Well I have competed in the pro 212 division. This year I looked my best ever at the Indy pro and placed 12th which was definitely a kick in the balls. So moving forward I'm going to do something different because I just had to suck down in bodyweight too much. This is too hard on my body when you are trying to look full and impressive as a bodybuilder. I will take the rest of the year off and grow into the open division and focus and grow business wise.

Adam Young - Consistency & Hard Work

More in Iron World Tour

We hit up the mile high city of Denver, Colorado. Denver has a lot of history, and sights being the most populous city of Colorado and a destination for outdoor adventure. Along with being the home gym of 7 time Mr Olympia Phil Heath, Armbrust Gym is the home of a potent and quickly rising crew and a new generation of IFBB Pro bodybuilders.

The Iron World Tour continues as Pro Bodybuilder Branch Warren, national level Bodybuilder Joe Robinson, and GASP CEO Michael Johansson all link up with IFBB Pros Brett Wilkins, Adam Young and Armbrust Gym owner Dylan Armbrust this week!

9:00-12:00pm fuel up and catch Denver sights

6:00pm Dinner and interviews with Dylan and Denver crew

Stay tuned to gaspofficial.com for non stop content and updates.